The Freedom 250 Grand Prix, an IndyCar series race, is scheduled to take place on Sunday through the streets of Washington, D.C. The event, which has been publicly supported by President Donald Trump, will feature several major corporations as first-time race sponsors. The race will serve as the conclusion to a series of national celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence.
The event was initiated in January 2026, when President Trump signed an executive order calling for the race to be held. Penske Corp is managing the event, and its president, Bud Denker, announced new corporate partnerships during a press conference on Thursday. Denker stated that the event is an opportunity to showcase the sport to companies that have not previously participated in IndyCar racing.
Boeing, SpaceX's Starlink, and Delta Air Lines are among the new sponsors for the 250-mile race. Other participating companies include General Motors, Honda, United Airlines, Amazon.com's AWS unit, Shell, Gulfstream, Altria, Verizon, and Washington Gas. During the event, race cars are expected to reach speeds of 170 miles per hour on a course that includes Pennsylvania Avenue and passes by the National Archives and various cultural institutions.
The scale of the event is reflected in its high-level corporate and political attendance. Multiple sources stated that senior executives and members of Congress are expected to be present, providing a venue for private-sector leaders to interact with administration officials and federal lawmakers. Delta CEO Ed Bastian is among the executives confirmed to attend. President Trump is scheduled to wave the green flag to start the race, take a lap in the presidential limousine, and host executives in a specialized suite.
The inclusion of major aerospace, technology, and energy firms as sponsors represents a significant expansion for the IndyCar series. Beyond the immediate commercial impact, the event establishes a precedent for using the National Mall and historic federal avenues for professional motor sports. The race is scheduled to take place this Sunday, following qualifying and preliminary events on Saturday. Next steps include the implementation of traffic detours and the arrival of the anticipated 280,000 total visitors over the two-day period.